Alanna Smith

Alanna Smith, a health reporter for The Globe and Mail, discusses the intense flu season hitting Canada. She highlights the aggressive H3N2 variant and its impact on healthcare, including overwhelming ERs in Alberta. Alanna explains discrepancies in vaccination rates and concerns over low uptake. She also shares real stories from patients facing long waits and discusses how this season's flu compares to COVID. Practical tips for prevention and the importance of vaccination, even this late in the season, are underscored throughout the conversation.

Alanna Smith, a health reporter for The Globe based in Calgary, dives into the legal battle surrounding Alberta's Bill 26, which restricts gender-affirming health care for transgender youth. She discusses the Canadian Medical Association's constitutional challenge against the bill, calling it a "moral crisis" for doctors. Alanna delves into the ethical concerns posed by the legislation, the rationale of the Alberta government, and discusses the impact of such laws on transgender youth's well-being and access to necessary treatments.

Alanna Smith, a health reporter for The Globe, shares vital insights on the current surge of respiratory viruses in Canada, including norovirus, flu, and COVID-19. She discusses the alarming spike in norovirus cases, emphasizing the need for robust hygiene practices. The conversation also touches on how hospitals are coping with this influx of illnesses and declining vaccination rates. Additionally, Smith clarifies avian flu risks and the ongoing challenges posed by political messaging in public health. Stay informed and proactive this season!